Maruti 800 India

 

Maruti 800 has been the bestselling car until 2004 till its own cousin the Maruti Alto took over. The Maruti 800 has been inspired from the old model of the Suzuki Alto. Till now over 2.5 million Maruti 800s have made it out of the factory to the roads since its launch in 1983. The car also runs worldwide in countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and some South American markets such as Chile. Unfortunately like all good things coming to an end, the Maruti 800 too met its end in 2010. As a part of India’s commitment towards cleaner fuel and Bharat Stage 4 (BS IV) emission norms, the company felt that continuing the Maruti 800 with BS IV compliance would incur high costs.

 

The good is news however is that, this will not be the end of the iconic Maruti 800. The new Maruti 800 Maruti is in the final stages of testing and should go on sale within the first half of 2012. The new car will be inspired from the Alto base and will be run by a 796cc three-cylinder and would comply with Bharat Stage V emission norms as well. In terms of the looks, the car will keep it simple with flat panels and basic interiors. However the increase in height means, the car will be a lot more spacious and comfortable than the original 800. The new Maruti 800 will look to cost under Rs 2 lakh price for the base version of the car.

 

Maruti 800 Exteriors

 

In terms of the exteriors the Maruti 800 is not for the show off but for the normal day to day drive alone. The car is not beautiful but it has no qualms about it all. The headlamps sport clear lenses. The grille comes with a smiling face which looks a lot more fresh and modern. On the back, the rear also does not try to show off too much. The build quality however suffers a bit in terms of the quality and wide panel gaps point at the age-old dies being used.

 

Maruti 800 Engine

 

The Maruti 800 engine is powered by a 796cc, 4 stroke cycle, 3 cylinder water cooled single overhead cam engine that produces 37 hp at 5000 rpm with a torque of 59 Nm at a fairly low 2500 rpm. The Maruti 800 engine for the std. LPG and the AC LPG is powered by a 796cc, 4 stroke cycle, 3 cylinder water cooled single overhead cam engine that produces 35 hp at 5000 rpm with a torque of 56 Nm at 2500 rpm.

 

Maruti 800 Interiors

 

The Maruti 800 interiors follow suit with the exteriors. The insides are not adorned much but are quite practical with loads of storage space. The car has plenty of cubbyholes and the dash sports a pop-top storage box too. The build quality of interiors is poor and the door pockets are good for nothing. On the whole the interiors have improved in terms of the looks with a fresh look. New dials, fabric and a better-looking instrument console make for a light and airy experience. The seats are inadequately bolstered and space is lacking by a fair margin.

 

Maruti 800 Safety Features

 

The Maruti Suzuki 800 safety features include advanced Intelligent Computerized Anti-theft System, Front and rear seat belts, a laminated wind shield, side impact beams, collapsible steering wheel column, body reinforcements, Headlamp leveling device and front wipers etc.

 

 

 

Maruti 800 Colors

 

The Maruti 800 Colors include superior white, silky silver, bricky red and blue blaze.

 

Maruti 800 Ride and handling

 

The Maruti 800 comes with strong suspensions that are perfectly in tune with the vehicle’s make up and are able to handle every major or minor pothole on the road. Moreover, these suspensions keep the vehicle evenly grounded at sharp turns and high speeds. The NVH levels of the engine are not that fine. The cabin however still remains silent till one hears a thud on crossing a pothole. You have to always be under the control with the Maruti 800 because the car does not come with disc brakes or ABS and can easily go out of control even under the slightest of sudden breaking.

 

Maruti 800 Specifications

 

This Maruti 800 is 1405mm high, 1440mm wide and is 3335mm long. It has a ground clearance of 170mm. The wheel base of Maruti 800 is 2175mm. It weighs 665kg. It has a fuel tank capacity of 28 litres. The Maruti 800 has a tyre Size of 145/70 R12 and the tyre type is radial. The wheel size is 12 x 4J.

 

Maruti 800 Ex-Showroom price

 

The Maruti 800 has been a best seller in the market because of its low running costs; entry level price and reliability make it the first choice among most owners looking to buy a hatchback for the first time.

The Maruti 800 price:

 

VARIANT	NON-METALLIC	METALLIC
M800 STD LPG	Rs. 211627.50	Rs. 213942.27
MARUTI 800 MPI BS III STD (WITH IMMOBILISER)	Rs. 201408.04	Rs. 203722.75

 

Maruti 800 Models

 

Maruti 800 Std. BS III: This variant comes with features like Dual tone interior upholstery, glove compartment, head restraints, moulded roof lining, front and rear assist grips, floor and luggage room carpets, stay type fuel gauge, front wipers (2 speed + intermittent), windshield washer, inside rear view mirror, cabin light (3 positions), airflow controls, clear lens rear combination lamps, intelligent computerized anti theft system, clear lens headlamps, halogen bulbs, side impact beams, additional body reinforcements, crumble zones, collapsible steering column, engine immobilizer, laminated windshield, high mount rear stop lamp, front and rear seat belts.

 

Maruti 800 Std. LPG: Has the same features of Maruti 800 Std. BS III but comes with LPG kit as well.

 

Maruti 800 Competitors

 

The Maruti 800 competes with the likes of Maruti Alto, Hyundai Eon, Hindustan Motors Ambassador and the Chevrolet Spark.

 

Compare Maruti 800 with other models

 

Maruti 800 vs Tata Nano: The Tata Nano is the spacious, cheapest and a comfortable car compared to the Maruti 800. However, the Maruti 800 is safer, reliable and requires less maintenance compared to the Nano. The Maruti 800 also suits the long journeys while the same cannot be said of the Nano. The Nano however is quite cheap and looks a way better than the Maruti 800.

 

Maruti 800 vs Maruti Alto: The Alto is slightly better than the Maruti 800 in every aspect and this also means that it comes at a slightly higher cost as well. Considering the fact, that the Alto is the higher model compared to the Maruti 800 it should have a lot more on offer. The Alto however is a lot better in terms of the ride and handling, engine refinement and also comes with the option of K10 engine options to choose from. The Alto is the vehicle with better mileage.

 

Maruti 800 vs Hyundai Eon: The Hyundai Eon falls in the same segment of the Maruti 800 but the Eon is way ahead of the Maruti 800 in every aspect. The car in fact looks like a premium hatchback and is fully loaded for a car of its class. The Hyundai Eon offers better mileage, power and features compared to the Maruti 800. However, the Maruti 800 is a lot more reliable as it has already proved its worth for decades and is also easy on the maintenance.

 

Maruti 800 Awards

 

Unfortunately the Maruti Suzuki 800 has not received any awards or ratings or 'car of the year award' because the time it was launched and for the most part of its life span, the automotive magazines and TV shows were not existent.

 

Maruti 800 Mileage

 

Maruti 800 Mileage is 15.7 kmpl in the city and around 19.9 kmpl on the highways. The LPG versions, Maruti 800 Std. LPG and Maruti 800 AC LPG return a mileage of 12 kmpl in the city and 16.4 on the highways.